With construction completed at the end of 2018, the Waldturm Residences set an architectural highlight for the city of Sibiu, Romania, with the first homeowners taking possession in November 2019. The Penetron System was specified to protect all the below-grade concrete structures of the building.
A center of economic activity, with many automotive, textile and machine component manufacturing plants, Sibiu is a vibrant city of about 150,000 people located in Transylvania, close to the geographic center of Romania. The town is also an important cultural center and was designated a European Capital of Culture in 2007. The medieval era town at the heart of Sibiu features picturesque squares, stone wall defenses and towers, historic buildings and centuries-old churches that attract tourists throughout the year. The ski resort of Păltiniș, located to the south, is also part of the city.
The Waldturm Residences comprise 22 luxury apartments offered in 2-bedroom (55 m2) and 3-bedroom (64 m2) layouts. Each unit has decorative wood façades and a lushly planted balcony that give the building a unique, cubist design. Amenities include underground parking, elevator access and a rooftop pool.
“The Waldturm building is in a thriving district of Sibiu, with easy access to the city center,” adds Claudiu Stoenescu, Engineer and Technical Manager of Penetron Romania. “With the proximity of the construction site to the Valea Săpunului River, the project engineer contacted Penetron Romania about a waterproof and durable concrete mix.”
A Solution Unaffected by Climate
Due to the condition of the subsurface at the construction site and the water table level, the contractor needed a concrete mix that would be resistant to repeated and long-term exposure to moisture. After consultation with Penetron Romania, Gruenwald Immobilien, the project developer, chose Penetron’s crystalline technology for all below-grade concrete elements as a durable waterproofing solution.
PENETRON ADMIX was added to the concrete for the building’s below-grade foundation structures and retaining walls, including the pad footings and foundation slab that secured the Waldturm building. Added during the batching phase and unaffected by climatic conditions, PENETRON ADMIX quickly becomes an integral part of the concrete matrix. Reacting to the moisture in the concrete mix, the admixture generates a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete. This forms a permanent seal against the penetration of moisture or chemicals, protecting the concrete and reinforcement steel from water penetration, corrosion and deterioration.
An Optimal Upgrade over Previous Solutions
PENEBAR SW-45 waterstop strips were also installed to seal the construction joints in the foundation slab and retaining wall perimeter, resulting in a dry basement structure. PENEBAR SW is a swellable waterstop strip that expands to form a positive seal when in contact with water. PENEBAR SW provides an optimal upgrade over passive PVC and rubber dumbbell waterstops by eliminating the need for special parts, tie-ins, split forming and seam welding.
“There were many reasons for Gruenwald Immobilien to specify the Penetron System: resistance to freeze/thaw cycles, rebar corrosion protection, and the self-healing of hairline cracks. All of this will help minimize future maintenance of the structure,” adds Claudiu Stoenescu. “Ultimately, helping to ward off issues with concrete simplified the completion of the Waldturm Residences.”
Soggy site: The high-water table at the Waldturm Residences construction site demanded a concrete mix that was resistant to constant exposure to moisture. PENETRON ADMIX provided the answer.
Adding durability: PENETRON ADMIX-treated concrete was used for the below-grade foundation structures and retaining walls, including pad footings and foundation slab, to secure the Waldturm building.
“Penetron inside”: The Waldturm Residences comprise 22 (2-3-bedroom) apartments with decorative wood façades and lush balconies, underground parking, elevator access and a rooftop pool.
